The snail and heliciculture market - France

Since 2020, the edible snail market has shown a growth trend, despite the challenges. In France, annual consumption remains high, at around 16,000 tonnes, with the festive season driving significant demand. Unfortunately, domestic production only meets around 10% of this demand, leading to the vast majority of snails being imported, mainly from Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Romania. The year 2022 has been particularly difficult for the sector due to soaring costs, with snail prices rising by up to 40% and the price of butter doubling, impacting both consumers and producers. This situation has led to calls for better remuneration for breeders to ensure the sustainability and attractiveness of the market.

Despite these obstacles, the heliciculture sector is proving resilient, revealing an average farm growth rate of 9.2% between 2020 and 2021, and a projected increase in acreage of 14.5% by 2022. The French export market, though smaller than imports, remains strong, particularly in the US. Regulatory measures specific to France concerning the collection and sale of live snails are designed to protect local species and habitats, underlining the ecological considerations of the sector in the midst of its commercial activities.

A cultural delicacy with growing demand and ecological benefits

France has a long tradition of tasting edible snails, which are an integral part of the country's gastronomic culture. Edible snails, notably the Helix aspersa and Helix pomatia species, are bred for human consumption through the practice of heliciculture. Among these species, Helix aspersa is subdivided into Petit-gris and Gros-gris, the latter being the preferred variety of many heliciculturists due to its faster reproduction rate, which makes it more commercially viable.

Despite the decline in domestic snail production, France remains Europe's leading consumer of snails, consuming around 15-20,000 tonnes a year. Surprisingly, only 10% of these snails come from local production, the vast majority - around 90% - being imported, indicating a strong dependence on the world market.

Nevertheless, demand is particularly strong, especially during the festive season, underlining snails' status as a festive delicacy. Globally, the snail market is expanding, showing steady growth reflected in a valuation of around $150-160 million, with forecasts of a continuous compound annual growth rate of around 2% through to 2025. French consumers enjoy snails in a variety of preparations - from the famous "à la bourguignonne" to regional specialties incorporating local ingredients such as wine, fennel and olive oil.

In terms of production, most farms combine greenhouses or air-conditioned environments with outdoor pens to accelerate the snails' natural growth cycle. France has around 300 professional producers who collectively cover only around 5% of national consumption, underlining the potential for growth in national production. Market analysis shows that certain regions, such as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand-Est, lead the way in terms of concentration of snail farmers. However, the total area farmed varies greatly, with regions with fewer heliciculturists sometimes accounting for larger shares of the total area farmed.

In terms of participation and establishment trends, the year 2021 saw the highest number of new heliciculture operations, indicating an expanding sector, with a considerable number of heliciculturists opting for principal farmer status as their main occupation. Despite this increase, the snail industry is still expanding.

Market leaders paving the way for the future of snail farming

In the dynamic, niche edible snail market, several key players are defining the industry through their innovative practices and dedication to quality. Each company brings a unique approach to snail farming, processing and distribution, enabling it to firmly establish its market position.

• Escargot à gogo is an outstanding competitor in the sector, distinguished by the diversity of its products. It specializes in serving a wide range of snail-based delights, meticulously catering to different taste prewith products such as escargots en coquille, terrines, escargotine, mini-bouchées and even snail sausages. Their commitment to offering traditional and creative snail dishes will appeal to all snail lovers.
• Saveurs de Bourgogne is a venerable establishment, famous for its Burgundy snails, that brings classic French gastronomy within the reach of consumers. Its commitment to authentic regional flavors makes it a source of choice for those seeking genuine Helix pomatia, drawing on the charm of France's rich culinary heritage.
• Pourdebon has carved out a place for itself in the online marketplace, providing a bridge between local producers and consumers. By offering a platform where buyers can purchase a variety of snail species, including petit-gris and gros-gris, as well as the exquisite escargots de Bourgogne, Pourdebon embodies the fusion of convenience and tradition.

These companies are not only the backbone of the snail market, but also the harbinger of a future where sustainable and specialized farming businesses thrive. Their different areas of activity - from ready-to-eat preparations at Escargot à gogo, to the preservation of traditional flavors at Saveurs de Bourgogne, to a modern approach to e-commerce at Pourdebon - highlight the many facets of this business sector. Adept at meeting the complex demands of a market confronted with environmental concerns and changing consumer preferences, these pioneering companies are the heroes of an era in which the environment is the key to success.of an era when the humble snail is not just a food but a culinary icon, and where sustainability is valued alongside flavor and tradition.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 28/11/2022

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Trends in snail market size
• Status of helicolous farms studied
• Year of installation of heliculteurs
• Status of companies created
• Helicole farms by surface area
• Imports of live snails, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, dried or in brine, whether or not smoked, with or without shell (excluding sea snails)
• French exports of snails, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, dried or in brine, whether or not smoked, with or without shell (excluding sea snails)
• Main countries of export to France of snails, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, dried or in brine, whether or not smoked, with or without shell (excluding sea snails)
• Main importing countries of snails, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, dried or in brine, whether or not smoked, with or without shell (excluding sea snails), from France
• Evolution of searches for "escargot de Bourgogne" on Google
• Evolution of interest in the "snail" search on Google
• Size of the traditional foodservice market